Outemu Cream Pink vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Crystal Brown offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Cream Pink is a linear switch, known for its smooth keystrokes without any tactile feedback or audible click. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown is a tactile switch, providing a noticeable bump in each keystroke for enhanced tactile feedback. While the Cream Pink is ideal for those who prefer a consistent and quiet typing experience, the Crystal Brown caters to users who enjoy feeling the tactile feedback with every key press. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Pink and the Outemu Crystal Brown, the most significant difference lies in the top housing material used. The Cream Pink features a nylon top housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic and sound-absorbing qualities. In contrast, the Crystal Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While the Cream Pink offers a rounder sound, the Crystal Brown delivers a more resonant and clear sound, especially beneficial for users looking to enhance RGB lighting effects.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing material, both the Cream Pink and the Crystal Brown use nylon. This classic switch housing material provides a similar typing experience on both switches, eliciting a deep and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a duller and rounder sound, creating consistency in user experience in terms of sound and feel while typing.
It is interesting to note that when the top and bottom housings differ in a switch, the qualities of each housing material are divided between the top and bottom of the switch. While the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice between a nylon top and polycarbonate top housing in the Outemu Cream Pink and Crystal Brown respectively can greatly affect the overall typing experience and sound profile of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Cream Pink is heavier with an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Crystal Brown is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams. This means that the Cream Pink will provide a more substantial typing experience and require a stronger push feel, whereas the Crystal Brown will offer a lighter touch and may be more suitable for longer typing sessions. Both switches exhibit a difference in weight that caters to different preferences, with the Cream Pink leaning towards a heavier feel and the Crystal Brown towards a lighter touch, allowing users to choose based on their individual typing preferences. Ultimately, the actuation force and bottom out force of the switches play a significant role in determining the typing experience and comfort level for users.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience a similar amount of travel from top to bottom. This allows for consistent keypress feedback and performance whether you are using the Cream Pink or the Crystal Brown switch. Ultimately, the travel distance of both switches is equal, providing a familiar typing experience regardless of which switch you choose to use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Cream Pink and Crystal Brown.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
The Outemu Cream Pink linear switch is known for its smooth and quiet keystrokes, making it ideal for environments where noise may be a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch offers a subtle tactile bump during actuation, providing feedback to the user that the keypress has been registered. The Cream Pink switch produces a soft and muted sound when pressed, while the Crystal Brown switch delivers a slightly more audible typing experience due to the tactile bump. Ultimately, the sound and feel of both switches will be influenced by additional factors such as keyboard construction and keycap material, but overall, users can expect a quieter and smoother typing experience with the Cream Pink switch, and a more tactile and audible experience with the Crystal Brown switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a switch with a slightly heavier bottom out force and a smoother linear feel, the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force with a bump in tactile feedback, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch would be a better option. Consider your typing preferences and workflow to determine which switch would best suit your needs. Happy typing!
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